Saturday, April 17, 2004

Click photographs to enlarge

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hosted the annual cherry blossom viewing party at the Shinjuku Gyoen in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The event was lively with approximately 8,000 guests from political and business circles, and cultural and sporting figures. In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi quoted a poem composed by Norinaga Motoori, a scholar of Japanese classical studies of the Edo Period: "If asked about the soul of Japan, it is the wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun," and extended his greetings by saying, "While we are enjoying such wonderful weather today, my days are not always blessed with such favorable weather. However, by keeping the idea of 'the wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun' close to my heart at all times, I will endeavor in my efforts for national politics." After his address, Prime Minister Koizumi chatted with the guests and joined in their pictures.